Electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette is provided. The electronic cigarette includes a casing having an inhalation hole and a substantially cylindrical configuration, ejection means (first ejection means) provided in the casing and at least one ejection head. Pressure in a cavity filled with a liquid flavor generating medium is changed by driving an actuator to eject the flavor generating medium as droplets from a nozzle in communication with the cavity. Control means provided in the casing controls the driving of the ejection means.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2003-198701 filed Jul. 17, 2003 which is hereby expressly incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field to which the Invention Belongs

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette.

2. Related Art

Recently, various types of smoking simulators for tasting a flavorresembling that of a cigarette without burning a cigarette have beenproposed.

For example, smoking simulators have been proposed, in which a heatingelement and solid flavor generating medium are provided in aheat-insulating tube and in which the heat-insulating tube and a powersupply of the heating element are wrapped in fine quality wrapping paperand formed like a cigarette (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. JP-A-3-232481).

In a smoking simulator having such a configuration, electrical energy issupplied from the power supply to the heating element to heat the flavorgenerating medium which in turn generates flavor components. A flavorresembling that of a cigarette can be tasted by inhaling a gaseousmixture of the flavor components and air which has been taken into thesmoking simulator.

In a smoking simulator having such a configuration, however, since ittakes time to increase the temperature of the flavor generating medium,a long time is required for the flavor generating medium to generate asufficient amount of flavor components. Thus, a sufficient amount offlavor components can not be obtained at the beginning of simulatedsmoking, and a feeling similar to that of a cigarette cannot be providedfrom the beginning of simulated smoking.

Since the amount of flavor components generated by the flavor generatingmedium cannot be controlled with high accuracy, the amount of flavorcomponents cannot be adjusted according to the amount of inhalation. Asa result, a feeling similar to that of a cigarette cannot be provided.

Further, since there is no function of generating smoke similar to thatof a cigarette and no function of generating a fire similar to that of acigarette, a feeling similar to that of a cigarette cannot be provided.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electronic cigarettewhich provides a sufficient amount of flavor components from thebeginning of smoking when a smoker inhales to smoke on a simulated basiswhich allows the smoker to have feelings similar to those a cigaretteprovides.

SUMMARY

The above and other objects are achieved by the invention as describedbelow.

An electronic cigarette according to the invention comprising: a casinghaving a inhalation hole and having a substantially bar-likeconfiguration as a whole; ejection means which is provided in the casingand has at least one ejection head and which changes a pressure in acavity filled with a liquid flavor generating medium by driving anactuator to eject the flavor generating medium as droplets from a nozzlein communication with the cavity; and control means which is provided inthe casing and which controls the driving of the ejection means.

Thus, droplets of the flavor generating medium are ejected into thecasing by driving the ejection means with the control means, and flavorcomponents are supplied into the casing. When the smoker inhales withthe inhalation hole side of the casing held in the mouth, a gaseousmixture of air which has flowed into the casing and the flavorcomponents in the casing flows into the mouth, and the flavor componentsspread in the mouth to allow the smoker to taste a flavor resemblingthat of a cigarette.

In this case, since a sufficient amount of droplets of the flavorgenerating medium are ejected into the casing from the beginning of thedriving of the ejection means, a sufficient amount of flavor componentscan be provided from the beginning of inhalation to obtain a feelingsimilar to that of a cigarette.

By using a flavor generating medium which has no harmful substance, nouncomfortable smell, taste, and the like, it is possible to preventpeople around the smoker and the smoker him or herself from beingdamaged or made uncomfortable by smoking.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably hasatomizing means which is provided in the casing and which atomizesdroplets of the flavor generating medium ejected from the ejectionmeans.

Thus, droplets of the flavor generating medium ejected into the casingby driving the ejection means are atomized (refined) by the atomizingmeans. When the smoker inhales with the inhalation hole side of thecasing held in the mouth, a gaseous mixture of air which has flowed intothe casing and the atomized flavor components in the casing flows intothe mouth, and the flavor components spread in the mouth to allow thesmoker to taste a flavor resembling that of a cigarette.

In this case, the flavor components which have been atomized by theatomizing means can be inhaled into the mouth, the smoker can feel as ifhe or she was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

In the electronic cigarette according to the invention, the atomizingmeans is preferably heating means which heats droplets of the flavorgenerating medium ejected from the ejection means to atomize them.

Thus, since particles of flavor components atomized by being heated withthe heating means of the atomizing means can be inhaled into the mouth,the flavor components can be efficiently spread in the mouth, and thesmoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

In the electronic cigarette according to the invention, the atomizingmeans is preferably vibration means which vibrates droplets of theflavor generating medium ejected from the ejection means to atomizethem.

Thus, since flavor components atomized by being vibrated with thevibration means of the atomizing means can be inhaled into the mouth,the flavor components can be efficiently spread in the mouth, and thesmoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

In the electronic cigarette according to the invention, the atomizingmeans is preferably mountable and removable in and from the casing.

Thus, the atomizing means can be easily attached in the casing asoccasion demands.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably has amounting portion in which a cartridge having a containing portioncontaining the liquid flavor generating medium is removably mounted.

Thus, the flavor generating medium is supplied from the containingportion to the ejection means by attaching the cartridge in the mountingportion of the casing, and the supply of the flavor generating mediumfrom the containing portion to the ejection means is stopped bydetaching the cartridge from the mounting portion of the casing.

In the electronic cigarette according to the invention, the ejectionmeans is preferably provided at the cartridge.

Thus, the ejection means is mounted and removed to and from the casingintegrally with the cartridge by mounting and removing the cartridge inand from the mounting portion of the casing.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably has apower supply switch which turns a power supply on/off when the cartridgeis mounted and removed in and from the mounting portion.

Thus, the power supply is turned on through the power supply switch byattaching the cartridge to the mounting portion of the casing, and thepower supply is turned off through the power supply switch by detachingthe cartridge from the mounting portion of the casing.

In the electronic cigarette according to the invention, the power supplyis preferably provided in the casing.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably hasdetection means which detects the quantity of a gas flowing through thecasing.

Thus, the quantity of air or a gaseous mixture of air and flavorcomponents flowing through the casing is detected by the detectionmeans, and various types of control can be performed with control meansbased on the result of the detection with the detection means (accordingto a signal from the detection means).

The electronic cigarette according to the invention is preferablyconfigured such that the driving of the ejection means is controlled bythe control means based on the result of the detection with thedetection means.

Thus, the quantity of air or a gaseous mixture of air and flavorcomponents flowing through the casing is detected by the detectionmeans, and the driving of the ejection means is controlled by thecontrol means based on the result of the detection with the detectionmeans (according to a signal from the detection means) to controlturning on/off of the ejection means and the ejection amount of dropletsof the flavor generating medium ejected from the ejection means.

Since smokers can therefore take flavor components into the mouth in anamount according to the inhalation capacity of the smoker, the smokercan feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably haslight-emitting means provided at a tip end of the casing and has aconfiguration in which the driving of the light-emitting means iscontrolled by the control means based on the result of the detectionwith the detection means.

Thus, the quantity of air or a gaseous mixture of air and flavorcomponents flowing through the casing is detected by the detectionmeans, and the driving of the light-emitting means is controlled by thecontrol means based on the result of the detection with the detectionmeans (according to a signal from the detection means) to control theturning on/off of the light emitting means and the quantity of light ofthe same.

Since this makes it possible to increase or decrease the quantity oflight of the light-emitting means according to the inhalation capacityof a smoker, the smoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of acigarette.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably has smokegenerating means which generates simulated smoke from a tip end of thecasing and has a configuration in which the driving of the smokegenerating means is controlled by the control means based on the resultof the detection with the detection means.

Thus, the quantity of air or a gaseous mixture of air and flavorcomponents flowing through the casing is detected by the detectionmeans, and the driving of the smoke generating means is controlled bythe control means based on the result of the detection with thedetection means (according to a signal from the detection means) tocontrol the turning on/off of the smoke generating means and the amountof smoke.

Since this makes it possible to generate simulated smoke from the smokegenerating means, to stop the generating of smoke, and to adjust theamount of smoke generated according to the inhalation capacity of asmoker, the smoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of acigarette.

The electronic cigarette according to the invention preferably hasheating means which heats air or a gaseous mixture including air andflavor components flowing through the casing.

Thus, since the air or the gaseous mixture of air and flavor componentsflowing through the casing is heated by the heating means, the smokercan feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of an electronic cigaretteaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of a configuration ofejection means.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic cigarette according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of an electronic cigarette accordingto a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electronic cigarette according to thesecond embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic cigarette (smoking simulator) according to the inventionwill now be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown inthe accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of an electronic cigaretteaccording to the invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the electroniccigarette as a whole; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is anenlarged view of a part of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing anexample of a configuration of ejection means; and FIG. 5 is a blockdiagram of the electronic cigarette.

For convenience in description, the left side and the right side inFIGS. 1 and 2 will be described as “tip end” and “base end”,respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic cigarette 1 has a cigarettemain body 100 having a round bar-like (bar-like) or cylindricalconfiguration as a whole and a cartridge 21 having a containing portioncontaining a liquid flavor generating medium.

The cigarette main body 100 has a casing 2, first ejection means(ejection means) 14 which ejects droplets of the flavor generatingmedium into the casing 2 and second ejection means (smoke generatingmeans) 17, and control means 27 which controls the driving and the likeof the first ejection means 14 and the second ejection means 17.

The configuration as a whole of the casing 2 is in the form of a roundbar (in the form of a bar) or substantially cylindrical. A mouthpieceportion 7 is provided at a base end of the casing 2 (one end in thelongitudinal direction) which corresponds to a filter of a cigarette. Achannel 3 with a predetermined length allowing air, a gaseous mixtureincluding air and flavor components, or the like to flow through isprovided along the longitudinal direction in the central part of themouthpiece portion 7.

The channel 3 has a circular cross section in the present embodiment. Abase end of the same opens (is exposed) in the central part of an endface on the base end side of the mouthpiece portion 7, and the openingis formed in a inhalation hole 4 for inhaling flavor components (agaseous mixture including air and flavor components) into the mouth.

A tip end portion of the channel 3 is formed with a tapered surface 5whose diameter gradually increases toward the tip end, and a pluralityof intake holes (side holes) 6 penetrating through the casing 2 in theradial direction thereof are provided at the portion of the taperedsurface 5 having the maximum diameter, the intake holes being providedat predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The channel3 is exposed to the outer surface side of the casing 2 through theintake holes 6. Referring to the shape of the intake holes 6, forexample, they may have a square sectional shape, a circular sectionalshape, or the like (they have a square sectional shape in the presentembodiment). When the smoker inhales with the mouth piece portion 7 heldin the mouth, air is taken into the channel 3 through the intake holes6, and the air flows through the channel 3 toward the inhalation hole 4and flows into the mouth through the inhalation hole 4.

The first ejection means 14 which is ejection means is provided in apart of the casing 2 corresponding to a central part of the channel 3 inthe longitudinal direction thereof such that it faces the channel 3, andmicroscopic droplets of the flavor generating medium are ejected intothe channel 3 by driving the first ejection means 14. The droplets ofthe flavor generating medium ejected into the channel 3 by the firstejection means 14 are mixed with air flowing through the channel 3 andflow in the channel 3, and a resultant gaseous mixture flows into themouth through the inhalation hole 4.

There is no particular limitation on the configuration material of thecasing 2, and various resins, various metals, various ceramics, wood,paper, and the like may be listed by way of example.

The flavor generating medium is a medium which can be ejected asdroplets to generate a flavor instead of burning the same and isappropriately chosen depending on usage or the like. For example, theflavor generating medium includes substances extracted from variousnatural substances or predetermined ones among components constitutingthem. For example, as flavoring substances included in the flavorgenerating medium, menthol, caffeine, precursors such as glycosideswhich generate a flavor when thermally decomposed, components of tobaccosuch as components extracted from tobacco and components that arecondensates of tobacco smoke, and the like may be used. In this case, itis preferable to make the flavor generating medium harmless and toeliminate harmful components.

For example, the flavor generating medium may include a substance whichgenerates aerosol when heated in order to add smoke to the flavor. Asthe substance for generating aerosol, for example, glycerin, polyolssuch as propylene glycol, lower alcohols, sugars, mixtures of them, andthe like may be used.

The first ejection means 14 employs a fluid jet method (e.g., an ink jetmethod). A fluid jet method is a method in which a pressure in a cavity(pressure chamber) filled with a fluid such as a liquid is changed bydriving an actuator to eject the fluid as droplets from a nozzle that isin communication with the cavity. For example, such fluid jet methodsinclude film boiling fluid jet methods such as the thermal jet method(bubble jet method (“bubble jet” is a registered trademark),piezoelectric methods, and electrostatic methods. The invention is notlimited to those methods, and any method having the same function may beemployed.

An ejection head according to a film boiling fluid jet method such asthe thermal jet method (bubble jet method (“bubble jet” is a registeredtrademark”)) is equipped with a film boiling type actuator having aheating body (heater) which generates heat when energized. According tothe film boiling fluid jet method, for example, the heating body isheated by energizing to generate bubbles, and droplets are ejected bythe pressure of the bubbles (a change in a liquid pressure caused by thebubbles).

An ejection head according to a piezoelectric method has a piezoelectricelement and a piezoelectric actuator which utilizes a piezoelectriceffect of the piezoelectric element. According to the piezoelectricmethod, for example, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elementto displace (deform) the piezoelectric element and to thereby change thevolumetric capacity of the cavity (pressure chamber), and droplets areejected by a resultant change in the pressure in the cavity 51.

An ejection head according to an electrostatic method has anelectrostatic actuator. According to the electrostatic method, forexample, a voltage is applied between counter electrodes of theelectrostatic actuator to generate a Coulomb force; a diaphragm isthereby displaced (deformed) to change the volumetric capacity of thecavity (pressure chamber); and droplets are ejected by a resultantchange in the pressure in the cavity 51.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first ejection means14 has a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) ejection heads15 according to a fluid jet method having a nozzle 16 for ejectingdroplets of a flavor generating medium. That is, the first ejectionmeans 14 has a head unit having a plurality of ejection heads 15according to a fluid jet method. The number of the ejection heads 15 isnot limited to four, and it may be one, two, three, or five or more.

The nozzle 16 of each ejection head 15 is formed with a differentdiameter, and the amount of the flavor generating medium ejected can beadjusted to a predetermined amount by turning on/off those ejectionheads 15 in a certain combination, for example.

A typical example of a configuration of the ejection heads 15 when anelectrostatic method is adapted will now be described based on FIG. 4.FIG. 4 shows only one of the plurality of ejection heads 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ejection head 15 has a three-layer structure inwhich a nozzle plate 41 made of silicon is stacked on top of a siliconsubstrate 42 and a glass substrate 43 is stacked on the underside of thesame.

Between the silicon substrate 42 and the nozzle plate 41, there isprovided a cavity (pressure chamber) 51 filled with a flavor generatingmedium, a reservoir 53, and an orifice (supply hole) 52 whichcommunicates the reservoir 53 and the cavity 51 with each other. Anozzle (outlet) 16 which establishes communication between the insideand outside of the cavity 51 is provided in a part of the nozzle plate41 associated with the cavity 51. A part of the silicon substrate 42that faces the cavity 51 is formed as a diaphragm (bottom wall) 45 whichis smaller in thickness than other parts.

The diaphragm 45 is configured such that it can be elastically deformed(elastically displaced) in out-of-plane directions thereof (thedirection of the thickness thereof) that is, upward and downward.

A major part of an electrostatic actuator (actuator) 44 is constitutedby the diaphragm 45, a segment electrode 46 provided on top of the glasssubstrate 43, and an insulation layer 47 and a gap (recess) 54 betweenthem.

An ejection head driving circuit (voltage application means) 29including a driving circuit for applying a driving voltage between thesegment electrode 46 and a common electrode 48 facing the segmentelectrode 46 (between counter electrodes) performs charging anddischarging between the each counter electrodes according to signals(data for ejection) input from a CPU 28 which will be described later.One output terminal of the ejection head driving circuit 29 is connectedto individual segment electrode 46 and another output terminal isconnected to an input terminal 49 of the common electrode 48 formed onthe silicon substrate 42. An impurity is doped in the silicon substrate42 which thus has conductivity in itself, a voltage can therefore beapplied (supplied) from the input terminal 49 to the diaphragm 45 (thecommon electrode 48 as a whole).

When a driving voltage is applied between the counter electrodes fromthe ejection head driving circuit 29, a Coulomb force is generatedbetween the counter electrodes, and the diaphragm 45 deflects toward thesegment electrode 46 from the initial state shown in FIG. 4 to increase(expand) the volumetric capacity of the cavity 51. When electricalcharge between the counter electrodes is abruptly discharged in thisstate under control of the ejection head driving circuit 29, thediaphragm 45 returns upward because of its elastic restoring force andmoves upward beyond the position of the diaphragm 45 in the initialstate shown in FIG. 4, which abruptly decreases (contracts) thevolumetric capacity of the cavity 51. As a result, the pressure in thecavity 51 increases, and the compression pressure generated in thecavity 51 ejects a part of the flavor generating medium filling thecavity 51 as microscopic droplets from the nozzle 16 that is incommunication with the cavity 51.

An intake hole 55 in communication with the reservoir 53 is provided ina part of the glass substrate 43 that is associated with the reservoir53. A base end side of a first supply pipe 33 to be described later isconnected to the intake hole 55, and the flavor generating medium issupplied into the reservoir 53 from a cartridge 21 to be described laterthrough the first supply pipe 33 and the intake hole 55.

As shown in FIG. 2, a gas quantity sensor 19 that is detection means isprovided on the way of the channel 3 (at the base of the tapered surface5 of the channel 3) on the base end side (left side in the figure) ofthe first ejection means 14, and the flow rate of a fluid (air or agaseous mixture of air and flavor components) flowing through thechannel 3 is detected by the gas quantity sensor 19.

Heating means 20 is provided on the way of the channel 3 on the tip endside (right side in the figure) of the first ejection means 14, and thefluid (air or a gaseous mixture including air and flavor components)flowing through the channel 3 is heated by driving the heating means 20.Thus, the fluid heated to a predetermined temperature flows out from theinhalation hole 4. There is no particular limitation on the heatingmeans 20 as long as it has the function of allowing a fluid to beheated, and it may be a micro-heater or the like, for example. Amicro-heater converts electricity into thermal energy, and itsconfiguration and type may be arbitrarily chosen. Normally, a heaterthin film is formed, and a current is passed through such a resistor togenerate heat.

The heating means 20 may be made mountable and removable to and from themouthpiece portion 7 and may be attached to the mouthpiece portion 7 asoccasion demands.

A configuration may be employed in which the heating means 20 isprovided upstream of the first ejection means 14, i.e., on the tip endside of the same (left side in FIG. 2) and in which the heating means 20is driven to heat air which flows through the channel 3 and has notreached the first ejection means 14 yet (air which has not been mixedwith droplets of the flavor generating medium yet).

In a central part of the casing 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof(a part of the same on the left side of the channel 3 in the figure),there is provided a cartridge chamber (mounting portion) 8 having apredetermined depth whose top side opens outwardly of the casing 2, anda cartridge 21 containing (filled with) a liquid flavor generatingmedium is removably mounted in the cartridge chamber 8. A cartridgedetection/power supply switch 9 is provided on one end face of thecartridge chamber 8 in the axial direction thereof (left side in FIG.2).

When the cartridge 21 is mounted in (attached to) the cartridge chamber8, the cartridge detection/power supply switch 9 is turned on. Thus, thestate in which the cartridge 21 is mounted is detected, and a powersupply 26 is turned on. When the cartridge 21 is removed (detached) fromthe cartridge chamber 8, the cartridge detection/power supply switch 9is turned off. Thus, the sate in which the cartridge 21 is not mountedis detected, and the power supply 26 is turned off.

The cartridge 21 has a cartridge main body (casing) 210 having abox-like configuration as a whole. The interior of the cartridge mainbody 210 is partitioned into two chambers, i.e., a first chamber 22 anda second chamber 23, and a predetermined amount of a liquid flavorgenerating medium is contained (filled) in each of the first chamber 22and the second chamber 23. The flavor generating medium contained in thefirst chamber 22 and the flavor generating medium contained in thesecond chamber 23 may be identical to or different from each other.

There is no particular limitation on the configuration material of thecartridge main body (casing) 210, and various resins or the like may belisted by way of example.

There may be only one chamber in the cartridge main body 210. Aconfiguration may be employed in which the above-described firstejection means 14 may be provided at the cartridge 21 (the cartridge 21and the first ejection means 14 may be integrated) and are integrallyremovably mounted in the cartridge chamber (mounting portion) 8 of thecasing 2 (cigarette main body 100).

A lancable or stuck portion 221 is formed on the bottom side of thefirst chamber 22 of the cartridge main body 210, the stuck portion beinglanced or stuck by a sharp end 331 at a tip end side of a first supplypipe 33 to be described later. Similarly, a lancable or stuck portion231 is formed on the bottom side of the second chamber 23, the stuckportion being lanced or stuck by a sharp end 341 at a base end side of asecond supply pipe 34 to be described later. When the cartridge 21 ismounted in the cartridge chamber 8, the sharp end 331 of the firstsupply pipe 33 and the sharp end 341 of the second supply pipe 34 stickin and penetrate through the stuck portion 221 and the stuck portion 231of the cartridge main body 210, respectively. Thus, communication isestablished between the first chamber 22 and the first supply pipe 33,and communication is established between the second chamber 23 and thesecond supply pipe 34.

In an outer peripheral portion of the casing 2, there is embedded thefirst supply pipe 33 which establishes mutual communication between apart of the cartridge chamber 8 associated with the first chamber 22 andthe above-described first ejection means 14 in the axial direction andthe second supply pipe 34 which establishes mutual communication betweena part of the cartridge chamber 8 associated with the second chamber 23and second ejection means 17 to be described later in the axialdirection. The sharp end (sticking needle) 331 is formed at the tip endside of the first supply pipe 33, and the sharp end (sticking needle)341 is formed at the base end side of the second supply pipe 34. Theflavor generating media are supplied from the first chamber 22 of thecartridge 21 to the first ejection means 14 and from the second chamber23 to the second ejection means 17 through the first supply pipe 33 andthe second supply pipe 34, respectively.

In a central part of the casing 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof(a part of the same on the left of the cartridge chamber 8), the powersupply (power supply portion) 26 and control means 27 are incorporatedon the base end side and tip end side, respectively, the control meanscontrolling the driving of the first ejection means 14, the secondejection means 17, the gas quantity sensor 19, the heating means 20, thepower supply 26, light-emitting means 32 to be described later, and thelike. A configuration may be employed in which the power supply 26 canbe removably mounted in the casing 2.

For example, a battery such as a primary battery or a secondary batterymay be used as the power supply 26. In this case, compactness and areduction of weight can be achieved by using a fuel battery which has ahigh energy density. The fuel battery may be provided in the form of acartridge to facilitate replacement.

At the tip end of the casing 2 (the other end in the longitudinaldirection thereof), a predetermined space 10 is provided, and aplurality of intake/discharge holes (side holes) 11 are provided atpredetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of a part ofthe casing 2 facing the space 10, the intake/discharge holes 11penetrating through the casing 2 in the radial direction thereof. Thespace 10 is exposed to the outside of the casing 2 through theintake/discharge holes 11. Referring to the shape of theintake/discharge holes 11, for example, it may have a square sectionalshape, a circular sectional shape, or the like (it has a squaresectional shape in the present embodiment).

The second ejection means 17 which is smoke generating means is providedin a part of the casing 2 that is adjacent to the space 10 on the rightside of the same in FIG. 2 so as to face the space 10, and microscopicdroplets of the flavor generating media are ejected into the space 10 bydriving the second ejection means 17. In this case, for example,simulated smoke (sidestream smoke) that resembles smoke (sidestreamsmoke) of a cigarette can be generated through selection, combination,or the like of the flavor generating media.

The configuration of the second ejection means 17 is not be illustratedand described because it is similar to that of the above-described firstejection means 14.

Droplets of the flavor generating media are ejected into the space 10 bydriving of the second ejection means 17, and simulated smoke (sidestreamsmoke) resembling smoke (sidestream smoke) of a cigarette is thusgenerated in the space 10 and discharged from the intake/discharge holes11. In this case, the generated (discharged) simulated smoke ispreferably harmless. The simulated smoke thus generated may be odorless,or it may have an odor. When simulated smoke with an odor is to begenerated, for example, the odor is preferably a pleasant odor ratherthan an odor like that of sidestream smoke of a cigarette.

At the tip end of the casing 2 (the part adjacent to the space 10),there is provided a recess 12 having a predetermined depth which opensat the tip end face of the casing 2. The opening of the recess 12 isclosed by a diffusing lens 13 having a curved shape.

Light-emitting means 32 is provided on the bottom surface side of therecess 12, and the light-emitting means 32 can be driven for emission togenerate a simulated safe fire that resembles the fire of a cigarette,which provides a visual effect that resembles the fire of a cigarette.

The amount of light emitted by the light-emitting means 32 is adjustedaccording to a signal from the gas quantity sensor 19 (based on theresult of detection by the gas quantity sensor 19). For example, thelight-emitting means 32 may be a red LED (light-emitting diode), anorganic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like. However, the inventionis not limited to them, and any device having a similar function may beused.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control means 27 has a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) 28 for controlling the driving of the first ejection means 14, thesecond ejection means 17, the heating means 20, the gas quantity sensor19, the light-emitting means 32, the power supply 26, and the like andthe ejection head driving circuit 29 incorporating a circuit for drivingthe first ejection means 14 and the second ejection means 17.

The provision of the control means 27 as described above allows theelectronic cigarette 1 according to the present embodiment to performvarious types of control.

For example, controlling of the turning on/off of the generation ofsimulated smoke resembling smoke (sidestream smoke) of a cigarette bycontrolling the turning on/off of the second ejection means 17,controlling of the turning on/off of the emission of the light-emittingmeans 32 or the like may be possible. Therefore, the generation ofsimulated smoke can be turned off and the emission of the light-emittingmeans may be turned off in places where smoking is prohibited (e.g.,public places, railway stations, restaurants, and so on).

The heating of air or a gaseous mixture including air and flavorcomponents with the heating means 20 can be controlled such that it isturned off in summer and turned on in winter when a warm feel isdesired.

In order to improve resemblance to a cigarette, control can be performedto reproduce states that resemble a week odor and a low temperature atthe beginning of smoking attributable to the long channel through whichthe smoke of the cigarette flows and to reproduce states that resemble astrong odor and a high temperature at the end of smoking attributable tothe short channel through which the smoke flows.

By branding electronic cigarettes 1 and switching simulated smokingprogramming data depending on the brands; such control can be varied foreach of the brands. Further, customization can be made depending on thepreference of individual. For example, a mild odor provided by a longfilter can be reproduced, and the number of times of inhalation to smokeone virtual cigarette may be set.

Such programs for simulated smoking may be written in a ROM, and the ROMmay be attached to the cartridge 21 or a separate cartridge (not shown)to allow the ROM to be removably mounted in the casing 2 (cigarette mainbody 100) through the cartridge 21 or the separate cartridge. Anothermode is possible, in which a RAM is provided in the cartridge 21 or aseparate cartridge (not shown) that can be removably mounted in thecasing 2 (cigarette main body 100) and in which the program forsimulated smoking is downloaded using, for example, a radio interfacesuch as Bluetooth or transmitted on a infrared basis to the RAM.

Alternatively, a memory having predetermined programs for simulatedsmoking written therein may be incorporated in the casing 2 (cigarettemain body 100), and any of the patterns of preference may be selectedusing a dial or the like. In this case, for example, the storage of theprograms for simulated smoking and the selection of the patterns ofpreference may be performed using a separate unit resembling a lighterto be paired.

For example, an RFID (radio tag) or the like may be attached to thecasing 2 (cigarette main body 100), the cartridge 21, the separatecartridge (not shown), or the separate unit to allow the programs forsimulated smoking to be switched or to allow parameters in the programsfor simulated smoking to be changed.

When the smoker inhales with the mouthpiece portion 7 of the electroniccigarette 1 according to the present embodiment having theabove-described configuration held in the mouth, air flows into thechannel 3 through the intake holes 6; the quantity of the gas flowingthrough the channel 3 is detected by the gas quantity sensor 19; thefirst ejection means 14 is driven by the control means 27 according to asignal from the gas quantity sensor 19 (based on the result of detectionby the gas quantity sensor 19); a predetermined amount of droplets ofthe flavor generating media is ejected into the channel 3 from thenozzles 16 of the ejection heads 15; the air and flavor componentsflowing through the channel 3 are mixed; and a gaseous mixture of themflows into the mouth through the inhalation hole 4; and the flavorcomponents spread in the mouth to allow a flavor resembling that of acigarette to be tasted.

In this case, since a sufficient amount of droplets of the flavorgenerating media is ejected into the casing 2 from the beginning ofdriving of the first ejection means 14, a sufficient amount of flavorcomponents can be obtained from the beginning of simulated smoking (thebeginning of inhalation) to provide a feeling similar to that of acigarette.

The second ejection means 17 is driven by the control means 27 accordingto a signal from the gas quantity sensor 19 (based on the result ofdetection by the gas quantity sensor 19), and a predetermined amount ofdroplets of the flavor generating media is ejected from the nozzles ofthe ejection heads of the second ejection means 17 into the space 10. Asa result, simulated smoke resembling smoke (sidestream smoke) of acigarette is generated in the space 10; the smoke flows out the space 10through the intake/discharge holes 11; and the smoke resemblingsidestream smoke of a cigarette spreads.

Further, the light-emitting means 32 emits light according to a signalfrom the gas quantity sensor 19 (based on the result of detection by thegas quantity sensor 19), which provides a visual effect that seemssimilar to the fire of a cigarette.

A second embodiment will now be described.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of an electronic cigaretteaccording to the invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of a partof the same, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electronic cigarette.

An electronic cigarette 1 according to the second embodiment will now bedescribed, the description being focused on differences from theabove-described first embodiment and omitting items that are identicalbetween them.

As shown in FIG. 6, atomizing means 18 for atomizing (refining) dropletsof a flavor generating medium ejected from the nozzle 16 of eachejection head 15 of the first ejection means 14 is provided facing thenozzles 16. Although not shown, atomizing means 18 for atomizing(refining) droplets of a flavor generating medium ejected from thenozzle 16 of each ejection head 15 of the second ejection means 17 issimilarly provided facing the nozzles 16. As shown in FIG. 7, thecontrol means 27 has an atomizing means driving circuit 30 incorporatinga circuit for driving the atomizing means 18. The configuration isotherwise similar to that shown in the first embodiment.

In this case, for example, the atomizing means 18 may be heating meanswhich receives and heats droplets of the flavor generating mediumejected by the nozzles 16 of the ejection heads 15 to atomize them orvibration means which receives and vibrates droplets of the flavorgenerating medium to atomize them. For example, the heating means may bea micro-heater or the like, and the vibration means may be an ultrasonicvibration generator or the like.

Either of the atomizing means 18 of the first ejection means 14 and theatomizing means 18 of the second ejection means 17 may be omitted.

A configuration may be employed in which the atomizing means 18 areremovably mounted in the casing 2 (cigarette main body 100).

A configuration may be employed in which the atomizing means 18 isprovided in the cartridge 21 (the cartridge 21 and the atomizing means18 may be integrated) and in which they are integrally removably mountedin the cartridge chamber (mounting portion) 8 of the casing 2 (cigarettemain body 100).

In the present embodiment, droplets of the flavor generating mediumejected by the nozzles 16 of the first ejection means 14 and the secondejection means 17 are atomized by the respective atomizing means 18associated therewith.

Specifically, droplets of the flavor generating medium ejected from thenozzles 16 of the first ejection means 14 are atomized by the atomizingmeans 18 associated therewith. Therefore, when the smoker inhales with amouthpiece portion 7 of the casing 2 held in the mouth, a gaseousmixture of air which has entered the casing 2 through the intake holes 6and atomized flavor components in the casing 2 flows into the mouth; theflavor components spread in the mouth to allow a flavor resembling thatof a cigarette to be tasted. In this case, since the flavor componentscan be inhaled into the mouth after being atomized by the atomizingmeans 18, the smoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smoke of acigarette.

When the atomizing means 18 is constituted by a micro-heater, particlesof the flavor generating medium which have been atomized through heatingflow into the mouth. Thus, flavor components can be efficiently spreadin the mouth, and the smoker can feel as if he or she was inhaling smokeof a cigarette.

When the atomizing means 18 is constituted by an ultrasonic vibrationgenerator, particles of the flavor generating medium which have beenatomized by vibration flow into the mouth. Thus, flavor components canbe efficiently spread in the mouth, and the smoker can feel as if he orshe was inhaling smoke of a cigarette.

Similarly, when the smoker inhales with the mouthpiece portion 7 of thecasing 2 held in the mouth, droplets of the flavor generating mediumejected from the nozzles 16 of the second ejection means 17 are atomizedby the atomizing means 18 associated therewith. Thus, simulated smokeresembling smoke (sidestream smoke) of a cigarette is generated in thespace 10, and it flows outside through the intake/discharge holes 11.The smoke resembling sidestream smoke of a cigarette then spreads. Inthis case, droplets of the flavor generating medium ejected by thesecond ejection means 17 is atomized by the atomizing means 18,simulated smoke that is very similar to sidestream smoke of a cigarettecan be generated.

The electronic cigarette 1 can provide advantages similar to those ofthe above-described first embodiment.

While the invention has been described based on the illustratedembodiments, the invention is not limited to them, and the configurationof each part may be replaced with any other configuration having thesame function. The invention may also be configured with otherconstituents.

1. An electronic cigarette comprising: a casing having an inhalationhole; an ejector provided in the casing, the ejector having at least oneejection head and which changes a pressure in a cavity filled with aliquid flavor generating medium by driving an actuator to eject theflavor generating medium as droplets from a nozzle in communication withthe cavity; and a controller provided in the casing, the controllercontrolling driving of the ejector.
 2. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 1, comprising an atomizer provided in the casing, theatomizer atomizing droplets of the flavor generating medium ejected fromthe ejector.
 3. The electronic cigarette according to claim 2, whereinthe atomizer comprises a heater, the heater heating droplets of theflavor generating medium ejected from the ejector to atomize them. 4.The electronic cigarette according to claim 2, wherein the atomizercomprises a vibrator, the vibrator vibrating droplets of the flavorgenerating medium ejected from the ejector to atomize them.
 5. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 2, wherein the atomizer isremovably mounted to the casing.
 6. The electronic cigarette accordingto claim 1, comprising a mounting portion to which a cartridge having acontaining portion containing the liquid flavor generating medium isremovably mounted.
 7. The electronic cigarette according to claim 6,wherein the ejector is provided at the cartridge.
 8. The electroniccigarette according to claim 7, comprising a power supply switch whichturns a power supply on/off when the cartridge is mounted and removed inand from the mounting portion.
 9. The electronic cigarette according toclaim 1, wherein the power supply is provided in the casing.
 10. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, comprising detector whichdetects a quantity of a gas flowing through the casing.
 11. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 10, wherein the controllercontrols the driving of the ejector based on a result of the detectionby the detector.
 12. The electronic cigarette according to claim 10,wherein a light-emitter is provided at a tip end of the casing, thecontroller controlling the driving of the light-emitter based on aresult of the detection by the detector.
 13. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 10, comprising a smoke generator, the smoke generatorgenerating simulated smoke from a tip end of the casing, the controllercontrolling the driving of the smoke generator based on a result of thedetection with the detector.
 14. The electronic cigarette according toclaim 1, comprising a heater which heats at least one of air and agaseous mixture including air and flavor components flowing through thecasing.